But sometimes, being released from jail isn’t a great experience either.

That’s one reason a group of volunteers led by Kyle Braunskill of Flanders has been working both inside and outside the jails with people who have been released and now find it challenging to fit back in with the outside world. READ

One of the biggest stories of 2015 carried into this year, as a former Southampton Town councilman went to prison and a Riverhead physician assistant pleaded guilty in an alleged prescription painkiller kickback scheme.

Former Southampton Town Councilman Bradley Bender was sentenced to 24 months in prison and three years’ probation Friday morning following his guilty plea in November to conspiracy to illegally distribute oxycodone. READ

Choking back tears, Riverhead physician assistant Michael Troyan detailed years of drug abuse and a scheme to sell painkillers on the street to feed his habit as he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone in a federal courtroom in Central Islip Friday. READ

Prosecutors will recommend that former Southampton Town Councilman Brad Bender serve between 2 and 2 1/2 years in prison when he is sentenced in June following his guilty plea for illegally distributing oxycodone, a U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesperson confirmed Tuesday. READ

In his first one-on-one interview with the media since his arrest and guilty plea in federal court Tuesday, former Southampton Town Councilman Brad Bender told the News-Review he became addicted to pain pills he was overprescribed following back surgery.

Mr. Bender said he eventually started sharing his prescription with another person, who then sold the pills to others. READ